The weather is absolutely spectacular this time of year in Central Florida, so naturally you'll want to be spending as much time outside as possible.
Because our climate allows for year-round outdoor entertaining, most of our custom home building clients want to incorporate this type of space into their home's design. Of course, the perfect compliment to any good outdoor entertaining space is an outdoor kitchen. From grilling to pizza ovens, having a luxurious outdoor kitchen can transform your outdoor entertaining space to a cook's oasis.
1. Smoker
Some homeowners want to move beyond the traditional infrared gas grill and incorporate a smoker into their outdoor kitchen's design. The Big Green Egg is probably the most in-demand ceramic cookers as it offers the ability to hold a constant temperature, which is ideal when smoking meat.
If you plan to include a smoker in your outdoor kitchen, consider building it into your cabinetry. Many luxury outdoor kitchens include both a built-in gas grill and smoker, which offers the flexibility for quick and slow cooking.
2. Pizza Oven
By adding a pizza oven to your outdoor kitchen, you can enjoy a variety of foods with an authentic wood-fired flavor. The addition of a pizza oven to your outdoor entertaining space will definitely make your kitchen unique, and the design will usually allow for easy firewood storage.
3. Refrigerator
Including a refrigerator in your outdoor kitchen can be incredibly convenient, especially if you're in the middle of preparing a gourmet meal and need to be able to reach for the refrigerator for ingredients.
You should know there are 2 types of grades for outdoor refrigerators, which are best described as "drink grade" and "food grade." Drink grade is typically more affordable, but takes longer to cool. Therefore, something to consider is whether you'll need a compact outdoor refrigerator simply for storing drinks or a more elaborate refrigerator for storing everything.
4. Kegerator
No outdoor bar is complete without a kegerator that is built into the outdoor kitchen cabinetry. Imagine being able to relax with a freshly poured beer in your hands. This feature would certainly take your outdoor entertaining up a notch!
5. Dishwasher
You can actually buy dishwashers today that are specifically designed to withstand the weather ailments associated with an outdoor kitchen. These type of dishwashers are built using a stainless-steel casing, specialized tubing, and a "winterization mode" that can be used during the off-season.
Of course, there is a hefty price that comes with an outdoor dishwasher, but it would be an incredibly convenient feature for your outdoor kitchen.
An outdoor kitchen is just one component for creating the perfect outdoor entertaining space. If you're looking for inspiration for your own custom home building project, be sure to check out our recent post about how to design the perfect pool for your outdoor entertaining space.
Having successful completed more than 500 custom home building projects in Central Florida, our team at Empire Custom Builders has the knowledge and experience to help you design and build a home with your dream outdoor entertaining space. Please contact us to learn how you can get this process started.